Chichester Yacht Club Magazine December 2019 | Page 9

The Abate Trophy went to Helen Green for the best contribution to Dinghy
Racing (and in Helen’s case other far reaching contributions to training and
coaching). Helen introduced a great many novices to racing in practice, achieving
not only great results but a very productive pathway for many new members into
the racing programme.
Karen Cheeseman was awarded the Malcolm and
Sylvia Pye Trophy, for her significant contributions as a
new member; as an active and proactive member of
the sailing committee and contributor to wider club
activities.
And Charlie Gran, as our most successful youth
sailor, achieving outstanding results at the Topper
national and World championships, earned himself
the Paul Phillips Memorial Award. Well done to all our prize winners!
One of my earliest memories of CYC, since joining in October 2007, is helping
prepare some seriously second hand pontoons that had been picked up cheaply
and needed hefty volunteer DIY even to make them ready for club installation.
Since then, whilst the pontoons have delivered great service, it has been at
considerable cost in terms of man hours expended on moorings, decking, bridge
repairs, fendering etc, along with Health and Safety concerns. This led, particularly
over the last five years, to talk of replacements. As the Commodore announced at
the recent AGM, thanks to the hard work and dedication of a Project Team set up last December, and as part of a
five-year Waterfront Strategy, replacement pontoons and bridgeheads have been specified, a competitive tendering
process has been conducted and a multitude of licences and approvals have been or are on the point of being
obtained. All being well, the Club can look forward to the installation of exciting new facilities over the coming 18
months or so. More details will be made available to members in the very near future.
I’m pleased also to have clear recognition from the General Committee of a
comprehensive Boat Asset maintenance and
management plan, properly reflecting the
importance in functional and financial terms of
the small boats component of the Club. This
plan, along with the exciting prospects for the
waterfront and a number of other significant
adjustments to Club business, some
implemented, some signposted but all
consistent with the Club’s strategy for the
next three years, are all the product of
working with another team of people, namely
our General Committee, on whom we all rely
for the future wellbeing and good order of the
Club.
I look forward to continuing to work as part of the new team, going forward into 2020.
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